Credit: The Associated Press

LIVERPOOL, England — Steven Gerrard will undergo surgery on his left shoulder this week, ruling him out of Liverpool's final two games of the Premier League and England's upcoming exhibitions against Ireland and Brazil.

Liverpool says "the captain's injury has progressively worsened in recent weeks and requires an operation to cure it."

Gerrard is expected to be ready for the start of preseason training.

Liverpool's final two league games are against Fulham on Sunday and Queens Park Rangers on May 19.

England coach Roy Hodgson must find a new captain for the home exhibition against Ireland on May 29 and the trip to play Brazil on June 2.